Annette Bárcenas Olivardía is the head of our firm’s Public Services and Public Procurement Departments. Annette advises clients with a focus on energy, telecommunications, media and public procurement sectors.

She has long-standing experience leading regulatory and administrative work involving energy-related activities, telecommunications and public transportation, as well as due diligence processes and mergers and acquisitions. Annette is well known for her strength in representing and advising clients on public bidding processes, and thereafter advising clients on the negotiation of the contracts awarded by the corresponding governmental office. Annette’s experience also encompasses leading clients through their financing process for the public projects awarded, including advise con sophisticated collateral structuring and negotiation of loan agreements and other indebtedness facilities.

Annette gained significant experience by representing a major construction company in its bidding processes for high profile infrastructure projects, such as the Metro of Panama City, the renovation of Colon City and Terminal 2 of Tocumen International Airport Annette also acts as top outside counsel to the operator of the mass transit system of Panama City, and has been kept busy over the last few years advising major clients on renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar energy, and LNG power plants.

Annette gained her Law and Political Sciences degree (with honours) from the Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua followed by a Specialty Post-Graduate Degree in Telecommunications Law from the Universidad Externado de Colombia.

Recognized by her peers, Annette’s expertise is acknowledged by both Who’s Who Legal and Chambers and Partners as “a very experienced lawyer” in the energy sector, as well as a commendation for her capabilities in regulatory issues. Latin Lawyer 250 also recognises her as a key individual in telecoms, energy and administrative law.

Annette is an active member of the Club Kiwanis Las Perlas and where she was President (2006-2007). She was a director of Fundación para la Educación en la Televisión, FETV (2012-2016). She is a director of Fundación WIP Panama (Women in the Profession) and is a member of the Panama Bar Association.